Young Doctors Announce Red Zone Sit-in, Warn of Islamabad Protest if Demands Remain Unmet
QUETTA: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan has announced a sit-in outside the Red Zone on Tuesday, warning that it will expand its protest to Islamabad if the provincial government fails to address its demands.
Speaking at a press conference, YDA Balochistan President Dr. Hai Baloch, Dr. Bahar Shah, and other office-bearers said the protest camp established in solidarity with Dr. Mah Noor has now entered its 22nd day.
Dr. Hai Baloch said the association had formulated a joint strategy through a Grand Doctors Conference and questioned the government to clarify if their demands were unconstitutional. He reiterated the association’s demand for the immediate removal of the Secretary of Health and the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Civil Hospital Quetta.
He alleged that a junior officer had been appointed to a senior position at Civil Hospital and claimed that the Health Secretary had failed to take action and instead attempted to conceal the alleged irregularities.
Dr. Hai Baloch further alleged that a police official, reportedly under the influence of drugs, assaulted a doctor at the Trauma Center the previous night. In response, he said, the association would stage a protest sit-in outside the Red Zone at 12 noon on Tuesday.
Addressing the same press conference, Dr. Bahar Shah said armed individuals are prohibited from entering hospitals, but alleged that the government was worsening the situation instead of resolving the issues. He demanded strict legal action against those involved in the Trauma Center incident.
He also questioned whether doctors had been involved in a previous acid attack incident at Civil Hospital, alleging that the provincial government was using force against the medical community.
The YDA warned that if force is used against protesters, doctors would completely boycott hospital services. The association also stated that if they are prevented from holding their demonstration in the Red Zone, they will take their protest to Islamabad.
